Finance Committee

FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Room 213, West Square Building, Baraboo WI                                                              Tuesday, September 13, 2016

 

Members present:                Tommy Lee Bychinski, Mike Flint, Marty Krueger, Eric Peterson and Kristin White Eagle

Others present:             Kerry Beghin, Ann Calhoun, Tom Fandry, Renae Fry, Liz Geoghegan, Laurie Hasenbalg, Lynn Horkan, Tom Kriegl, Janelle Lennon, Judge Guy Reynolds, Matt Stieve, Tim Stone, Larry Volz  and other public

 

The meeting was called to order by Bychinski at 8:45 AM.  Certification of open meeting compliance was given. 

Motion by Peterson, second by Flint to adopt the agenda.  Motion carried.  Motion by Peterson, second by Krueger to adopt the minutes of previous meetings on August 10, 16 and 29, 2016.  Motion carried.

 

Public Comment:  Ann Calhoun from the Nature Conservancy.

Communications:  None

 

Presentation of Circuit Courts 2017 budget.

Judge Reynolds, presiding judge, highlighted the requested budget.  He commented on jury per diem estimates for 2016 and the budget for 2017.   Lennon reviewed the funding for the Circuit Courts and noted funding has been stable. 

 

Presentation of Child Support 2017 budget.

Fandry reviewed the child support budget, funding sources and mandates.  Reviewed several line items and trends. 

 

Discussion of ATC environmental impact fee use proposals.

Fry noted the Committee’s goal is to finalize the recommended ATC funded projects.  Also, need to consider stipulations or reporting requirements attached to distributed funds.  The Committee reviewed and discussed the scoring, comments and funding level results.    Strictly solar technology versus high performance building was discussed.  Ann Calhoun noted the Nature Conservancy would adjust projects to the level of funding if reduced.  The Committee discussed not spending all funds.  Larry Volz, Town of Delton Chairman, and Tim Stone, Twn of Fairfield Chairman, commented on the use of the funds.  Fry noted the preference of committees was to focus primary use as stated in the Statutes, using the distribution for park, conservancy, wetland or other similar environmental programs.   The Committee noted their understanding that the funding options could differ from this primary focus with written request and approval. 

Proj #

Project Description

Requested by

 Finance Committee Recommendation 9/13/16

3

First Phase Baraboo River Corridor Plan

Villages of North Freedom & West Baraboo and City of Baraboo

                                          250,000

5

Project submitted as Solar Power Installation (project was amended to be High Performance Building at White Mound by Finance)

Property & Insurance Committee

                                          225,412

6

Prairie Restoration Project

Riverland Conservancy

                                             55,000

7

Manley Creek Restoration Project

Riverland Conservancy

                                             50,000

9

Expanding Crane Roosting Habitat and Crane Tourism

Aldo Leopold Foundation

                                             98,250

11

Baraboo Hills Native Bio Diversity Project

The Nature Conservancy

                                             70,000

15

Sandhill Crane Project

International Crane Foundation

                                             50,000

17

Ornithology Preserve Honey Creek Land Acquisition in Baraboo Hills

Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

                                             50,000

18

Land Management on Badger Lands with a Focus on the Great Sauk Trail

Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance

                                             60,000

                                          908,662

 

Motion by Peterson, second by White Eagle to fund the projects as Finance recommended on 8/29/2016 with adjustments to recommendations for Manley Creek Restoration and the Sandhill Crane Projects to each receive funding in the amount of $50,000, allocating the total $908,662 to be spent.  Motion carried.

 

Discussion of 2017 budget and process review.

Beghin noted department requests have been received, staff met with departments and encouraged departments to acknowledge requests exceed allowed levy limits.  A handful of departments are revisiting budgets with committees this week.  The joint Finance/Personnel meeting concerning new and reclassified positions was postponed to October to enable the committees to have a full understanding of the overall county financial picture.  Beghin confirmed there are a number of good candidates for fund balance use.  Beghin reviewed process and goals for the next meetings.  On September 28-29 the departments will present their budgets in their functional groups; September 30 departments can be revisited as needed.  The Committee had consensus that the administrative group will share a budget overview along with a list of items for possible action by the Committee.  At the October 11 meeting the Finance Committee finalizes the recommended budget to be forwarded to the County Board. 

 

Presentation of County financial reports.

Beghin reviewed the County financial reports, notable lines and key indicators.  She reviewed the current balance of the contingency fund.  Motion by Krueger, second by Flint to receive the financial report.  Motion carried. 

 

Treasurer’s Department Update. 

Geoghegan highlighted departmental activities; tax collection was the major focus.  She plans to have update on investment RFP and a tax deed resolution for the October meeting.  Motion by Krueger, second by White Eagle to accept the monthly report and approve payment of Treasurer’s Department invoices in the amount of $175,198.08.  Motion carried.   

 

Accounting Department Update. 

Beghin highlighted departmental activities.  2015 Single audit is in its final stages.  Motion by Flint, second by Peterson to accept the monthly report and approve payment of Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $1,957.24 and County invoices in the amount of $2,728,152.69.  Motion carried.

 

Public Comment:  None

 

Next regular Finance Committee meeting will be Tuesday, October 11, 2016, 8:30 AM.

 

Motion by White Eagle, second by Peterson to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,  

 

 

 

Kristin White Eagle

Finance Committee Secretary